My cat is fierce. How can I introduce a new cat so they get along?

You could start by feeding them on each side of the door that separates them so they can smell each other and have it be a positive experience. Next, you can switch rooms - lock your cat in her room so your cat can investigate the smell of her cat and let her cat roam the house. Then you can try them together while you can supervise and see what happens. You could get some Feliway spray or a diffuser and use that to alleviate any stress/anxiety.

Do it gradually. First, allow them to hear and smell one another but not see each other. This is best accomplished by keeping her in a small, closed room. Once your male has accepted her presence, have them see one another form a distance for ever increasing periods of time. The next step would be to place her in a closed carrier in the same room as your male. The final step step would be a supervised physical introduction. Use leashes on both for safety. The entire process may take days to weeks. A pheromone product, such as Feliway Spray or plug in diffusers, may decrease any anxiety or aggression. Ideally, you will also need to provide a litterbox for each cat plus an additional box in a neutral area. Extra bowls, toys and beds should also be provided to prevent resource protection.

The next step is to rotate rooms daily for at least 2-3 days. This allows the new cat explore the rest of the house while the resident cat spends some time in the new cat's room. This will give your resident cats a chance to smell the new cat and rub their own scent on objects. The cats should be fed in each area with wet food twice daily, and it is also good to play with the cats in each area at least twice daily. The practice of setting up a schedule of feeding treats of wet food, as well as a playtime routine, minimizes anxiety and makes the cats feel more secure. Keep the cats in separate areas for as long as it takes to allow them the chance to become desensitized to the smells and sounds of the cats in the other area. When they all seem particularly relaxed with this process, begin to expose them to the sight of each other. A good way to accomplish this visual introduction is to bring the new cat(s) in a carrier to meet your cats and sniff each other through the carrier wire door. Place the carrier on the floor and allow them to meet this way several times a day for about an hour. Continue these meetings for several days or until they remain calm in each other's presence. If and when the cats are able to stay calm in each other's presence during these meetings, it is time to let the new cat out into the rest of the house for a few minutes. The length of the visits can be increased gradually each day. Depending on the personalities of the cats involved, this process may take a few days or a few months. If it appears that any fighting maybe be close to occurring while you are supervising, put the newcomer back in his/her room and proceed more slowly. If those supervised play times go well, you can begin to allow them to cohabitate in your home. If any aggressive behavior occurs at any time, begin the introduction process again. It is very important to understand that this process can take as little as a few days, to sometimes much longer. It is all dependent on the cats involved. If things don’t go well right away... One of the most important steps to dealing aggressive behavior between cats is to recognize the different types of aggression and understand their underlying causes. A short list and description of some commonly seen aggressive behaviors include: chasing; ambushing; hissing; swatting; and/or biting. If you see these behaviors, seek help from your veterinarian. Most cats get along fine if the introductory process is done correctly. Please seek help from your veterinarian if you feel that things are not progressing well, or if you have other questions.

Separate them for a few days, then gradually reintroduce them. First, allow them to sniff and hear each other through a closed door. Do this for ever increasing periods of time. Next, allow them to see but not reach one another. Progress to having one in a closed carrier in the same room. Correct any negative behavior immediately. Praise and reward them as they progress. Finally, a physical introduction can be attempted. A pheromone product, such as Feliway Spray or plug in diffusers, may help decrease any anxiety. You can also switch their bedding so they get used to the other's odor. Be patient and be consistent.

This is very common when a cat escapes or stays at a vet for a very long time, as their scent changes can stress out the other cat in the household. A good first step is to bring Simba to a vet ASAP, especially if he is injured, to treat all injuries and make sure he doesn't have any illnesses that could be passed onto your other cat. Once he is healthy, you can begin to reintroduce them again slowly, either by sniffing each other through a door, or by providing plenty of places for both cats to hide and get away from each other as needed. If a fight does break out, separating the two and trying again later is best. Pheromone diffusers such as Comfort Zone may also help, as well as providing extra food, water, and litter so that they do not compete or fight over shared resources.

It would be prudent to keep him separated from your cat until he is examined by your veterinarian. The kitten should be dewormed, given flea medication if necessary and vaccinated before he is introduced to your cat. A blood test for FeLV and FIV is also recommended.

Here is an article on introducing new cats to the home. https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-steps-to-introducing-your-cat-to-a-new-feline/ In addition, I recommend a calming pheromone such as Feliway that can help with anxiety. It is available as a plug-in room diffuser for large areas, and as a spray for small areas like a mat or bed. https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8906 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=37241 Another product I like is Composure, which is available as a little treat. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetri-science-composure-feline-bite-sized-chews I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach.